Dog Whisperer Season 5 Episode 11 A Member of the Family

In Dog Whisperer season 5 episode 11, titled "A Member of the Family," we see renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan take on a unique challenge. He is called in to help a family whose dog has become overly protective, aggressive, and destructive. The dog, an Australian Cattle Dog named Muffin, has been a beloved member of the family for years, but her behavior has recently become so concerning that the family is afraid to have people over to their home.

Cesar starts his assessment by observing Muffin's behavior around the family. He quickly notices that Muffin is not responding to the family's commands and is displaying a high level of anxiety and aggression. Cesar also observes that the family's interactions with Muffin are contributing to her problems, such as allowing her to jump and bark at guests.

Cesar then sets up a training session in which he teaches the family how to become "pack leaders" and communicate clearly with Muffin. He also helps them establish boundaries for Muffin, such as not allowing her on the furniture or to jump on people.

Throughout the episode, Cesar emphasizes the importance of exercise and mental stimulation for dogs, and takes the family on a hike with Muffin to help her burn off some of her excess energy. The hike also serves as an opportunity for Cesar to teach the family about the importance of introducing structure and discipline to a dog's life.

As the episode progresses, we see Muffin's behavior improve dramatically. With the help of Cesar's training techniques, the family is able to establish a clear hierarchy within their household, which in turn leads to Muffin feeling more secure and less anxious. The final scenes of the episode show Muffin calmly interacting with strangers and obeying the family's commands, a drastic change from her behavior at the beginning of the episode.

Overall, "A Member of the Family" is a heartwarming and instructive episode that demonstrates the power of clear communication, structure, and exercise in improving a dog's behavior. Cesar's techniques are firmly grounded in compassion and respect for the animal, and he encourages viewers to think of their dogs as members of the family who need guidance and support to thrive.